Nine Arrested on Suspicion of Helping 12 Flee Hong Kong for Taiwan

Pro-democracy activists Joshua Wong, Owen Chow, and family members of twelve Hong Kong activists arrested as they reportedly sailed to Taiwan for political asylum, speak to media after a protest outside the headquarters of Government Flying Service, in Hong Kong, on October 8, 2020. Aleksander Solum/Reuters

HONG KONG—Hong Kong police said on Saturday they had arrested nine people suspected of helping 12 Hong Kong activists who fled the city in August, heading for Taiwan, only to be intercepted by Chinese authorities and held on the mainland.

The detainees’ plight has grabbed international attention, with human rights groups raising concern as their families said they were denied access to independent lawyers, and aired suspicion that Hong Kong authorities helped in China’s arrests.